Department for International Development

Israel: Bedouin

baroness sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding they have provided to the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar.

lord bates: The UK has provided approximately £120,000 over the last four years to Khan al-Ahmar through the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) legal aid programme to support communities facing demolition. Approximately £51,000 was also provided in the last four years through our share of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) support to NRC for legal aid work.The UK is gravely concerned about proposals to demolish Khan al-Ahmar and has raised the issue with the Israeli authorities.

Health Services: Sub-Saharan Africa

baroness sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings in the Lancet Commission report, The path to longer and healthier lives for all Africans by 2030, published on 17 September, relating to GDP spending on health in sub-Saharan Africa andthe effectsof that spendingon fighting malaria in the region.

lord bates: DFID’s assessment is that the Lancet Commission, which DFID co-funded and was led by African academics and health practitioners, has produced a rigorous, high quality report. We agree with its key findings which are being communicated to stakeholders across Africa. DFID will be taking forward its recommendations by continuing to provide significant financial and technical assistance to increase domestic funding for health; reform the World Health Organisation’s Africa Regional Office; and sustain gains made on malaria.

Northern Ireland Office

Absent Voting: Northern Ireland

lord maginnis of drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 September (HL1448), whether there is a specific timescale for the outcome of the Chief Electoral Officer's review regarding absent voting in Northern Ireland; whether the detailsof theoutcome of that review will be conveyed to Members of the House; and if so, how.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: The review of absent voting procedures, including the timescale for completion, is an operational matter for the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland. Once the review process is complete the Chief Electoral Officer will write to Northern Ireland Office Ministers to inform them of her findings. Any recommendations will be considered carefully and a copy of the letter will be placed in the libraries of the House.